Firmenich SA is a private Swiss company in the perfume and flavor business. It is the largest privately owned company in the field and ranks number two worldwide.,[1] Firmenich has created perfumes for over 100 years and produced a number of well-known flavors.

The company was founded as Chuit & Naef in 1895 in Geneva (Switzerland), by chemist Philippe Chuit and businessman Martin Naef. Fred Firmenich joined in 1900 and later became the majority partner. The company was renamed Firmenich SA. Firmenich's board named Gilbert Ghostine as CEO to succeed Patrick Firmenich, effective Oct. 1, 2014.[2] And Yves Boisdron has been elected as the new Chairman of Firmenich’s Board of Directors as of July 1, 2013.[3]

Originally a fragrance company, Firmenich branched into the flavor business by creating a raspberry substitute in 1938, followed by creations of citrus and strawberry flavor. Other flavors followed in the booming field of flavor synthesis, spurred by the developing trend of companies worldwide selling processed foods and preserved foods.[1]

On May 3, 2007, Firmenich announced that it is to acquire the flavors division of Danisco in a deal reportedly worth €450 million.[4][5] The deal is expected to move Firmenich ahead of IFF as the second largest flavor company in the world.[1]